Patience was never Donatas Motiejunas’ strength, but then, he did not come to Houston for the weather. He was here to play in the NBA and for too much of his first two seasons for his liking, he watched other people play in the NBA from a good seat.

Motiejunas did not hide his displeasure. He worked incredibly hard on his game, but said he was putting in all that extra time not just to improve, but to force coaches to give him more playing time, as if he could at least take away that explanation for why he remained in such a limited role.

He worked and he cared and when he played, he played hard. And it was all too much.

At some point, Motiejunas needed to just relax and go play basketball. He needed to trust that he had enough game and coaches had enough confidence in him that he would finally be at ease and let his skills come through.

That point came in summer league where Motiejunas excelled on both ends of the floor. The next test starts Saturday when Motiejunas can go against players considerably more experienced with stakes considerably higher than in his strong few weeks in Las Vegas.

There are Rockets players all over the World Cup rosters, but Motiejunas’ play for Lithuania might be the most relevant to the Rockets’ plans. He still seems likely to be with the Rockets’ second unit. They are not expecting him to fill the role they hoped to give Chris Bosh. But on a team with questionable depth, Motiejunas will have a chance to give the Rockets’ second team the low post scoring and defensive rebounding he gave their summer league team.

Motiejunas averaged 16.8 points and 8.1 rebounds in 27.1 minutes per game in Las Vegas. He made 59.3 percent of his shots, most with a mix of low-post moves, but with 38.5 percent shooting on his 3s.

That was against the usual summer league rosters of prospects and young players. Going into his third season, Motiejunas should be more advanced in his career and looked it.

But beyond the numbers, he seemed more relaxed, less frantic. When he did not get his touches, especially in the early games, he was more patient, less desperate to prove himself. He said he really just wanted to get ready for his national team practices, which might not have been entirely true but demonstrated that he was more at ease. He finally just trusted that he had an important role and was ready to fill it.

With his national team, he similarly has had to pay dues. Even when he played well, he often was sent back to the bench late in games so the more veteran Linas Kleiza could check back in. Motiejunas now has a more significant, steady role for Lithuania in this tournament, beginning Saturday against Mexico.

Lithuania should advance out of the group stage where Motiejunas will be tested against the usual perimeter-oriented FIBA power forwards or perhaps against the NBA stars with the United States, Brazil and Spain. If summer league got him ready for his summer with the national team, his play with the national team could give him a running start to his third season with the Rockets.

If nothing else, it makes him the most intriguing Rockets player in the tournament. He might even finally have his limited patience rewarded.

Photo: Associated Press

Image 1of/41

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 41

James Harden of the U.S dunks against New Zealand during the Group C Basketball World Cup match, in Bilbao northern Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition take place in various cities in Spain from last Aug. 30 through to Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) less

James Harden of the U.S dunks against New Zealand during the Group C Basketball World Cup match, in Bilbao northern Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition take place in ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Image 2 of 41

US forward James Harden (L) vies with Ukraine's guard Oleksandr Lypovyy (R) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match Ukraine vs USA at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 4, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ RAFA RIVASRAFA RIVAS/AFP/Getty Images less

US forward James Harden (L) vies with Ukraine's guard Oleksandr Lypovyy (R) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match Ukraine vs USA at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 4, 2014. ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 3 of 41

US forward James Harden (R) vies with Ukraine's guard Oleksandr Lypovyy (L) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match Ukraine vs USA at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 4, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEAANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images less

US forward James Harden (R) vies with Ukraine's guard Oleksandr Lypovyy (L) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match Ukraine vs USA at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 4, 2014. ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 4 of 41

A young US fan shows a banner to US forward James Harden during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match USA vs New Zealand at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RAFA RIVASRAFA RIVAS/AFP/Getty Images less

A young US fan shows a banner to US forward James Harden during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match USA vs New Zealand at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 5 of 41

United States's James Harden, left, jumps for the ball in front Turkey's Omer Asik, during the Group C Basketball World Cup match, in Bilbao northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition take place in various cities in Spain from last Aug. 30 through to Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) less

United States's James Harden, left, jumps for the ball in front Turkey's Omer Asik, during the Group C Basketball World Cup match, in Bilbao northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Image 6 of 41

US forward James Harden (L) vies with New Zealand's forward Thomas Abercrombie (R) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match USA vs New Zealand at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 2, 2014. AFP PHOTO / RAFA RIVASRAFA RIVAS/AFP/Getty Images less

US forward James Harden (L) vies with New Zealand's forward Thomas Abercrombie (R) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match USA vs New Zealand at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 7 of 41

James Harden dribbles against Puerto Rico during their game at Madison Square Garden.

James Harden dribbles against Puerto Rico during their game at Madison Square Garden.

US forward James Harden (L) vies with Dominican Republic's guard Victor Liz (R) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match Dominican Republic vs USA at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on ... more

US forward James Harden (L) vies with Dominican Republic's guard Victor Liz (R) during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match Dominican Republic vs USA at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 10 of 41

US forward James Harden falls during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match Dominican Republic vs USA at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEAANDER GILLENEA/AFP/Getty Images less

US forward James Harden falls during the 2014 FIBA World basketball championships group C match Dominican Republic vs USA at the Bizkaia Arena in Bilbao on September 3, 2014. AFP PHOTO/ ANDER GILLENEAANDER ... more

Photo: AFP/Getty Images

Image 11 of 41

United States fans wear fake beards representing US player James Harden, before the Group C Basketball World Cup match between United States and Dominican Republic, in Bilbao northern Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition take place in various cities in Spain from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) less

United States fans wear fake beards representing US player James Harden, before the Group C Basketball World Cup match between United States and Dominican Republic, in Bilbao northern Spain, Wednesday, Sept. ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Image 12 of 41

James Harden of the US gestures during the Group C Basketball World Cup match against Dominican Republic in Bilbao northern Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition take place in various cities in Spain from Aug. 30 to Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) less

James Harden of the US gestures during the Group C Basketball World Cup match against Dominican Republic in Bilbao northern Spain, Wednesday, Sept. 3, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition take place ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Image 13 of 41

United States's James Harden, tries to controls the ball in front Turkey's Omer Asik, left, Cenk Akyol, and Sinan Guler, center back, during the Group C Basketball World Cup match, in Bilbao northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition take place in various cities in Spain from last Aug. 30 through to Sept. 14. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) less

United States's James Harden, tries to controls the ball in front Turkey's Omer Asik, left, Cenk Akyol, and Sinan Guler, center back, during the Group C Basketball World Cup match, in Bilbao northern Spain, ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Image 14 of 41

James Harden of the U.S, left, tries to control in front New Zealand's Thomas Abercrombie during the Group C Baskerld Cup match, in Bilbao northern Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup competition take place in various cities in Spain from last Aug. 30 through to Sept. 14. United States won 98-71. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos) less

James Harden of the U.S, left, tries to control in front New Zealand's Thomas Abercrombie during the Group C Baskerld Cup match, in Bilbao northern Spain, Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014. The 2014 Basketball World Cup ... more

Photo: Associated Press

Image 15 of 41

United States's James Harden, right, duels for the ball with Turkey's Kerem Gonlum during their Group C Basketball World Cup match, in Bilbao, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

United States's James Harden, right, duels for the ball with Turkey's Kerem Gonlum during their Group C Basketball World Cup match, in Bilbao, northern Spain, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Photo: Associated Press

Image 16 of 41

James Harden dunks against the Dominican Republic.

James Harden dunks against the Dominican Republic.

Photo: David Dow / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 17 of 41

James Harden, left, and Francisco at Madison Square Garden.

James Harden, left, and Francisco at Madison Square Garden.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 18 of 41

James Harden dunks against the Dominican Republic.

James Harden dunks against the Dominican Republic.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 19 of 41

James Harden dunks against the Dominican Republic.

James Harden dunks against the Dominican Republic.

Photo: Al Bello / Getty Images

Image 20 of 41

Francisco Garcia #9 of the Dominican Republic National Team drives against James Harden #13 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team on August 20, 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

Francisco Garcia #9 of the Dominican Republic National Team drives against James Harden #13 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team on August 20, 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 21 of 41

James Harden #13 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team shoots against the Dominican Republic National Team on August 20, 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

James Harden #13 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team shoots against the Dominican Republic National Team on August 20, 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 22 of 41

James Harden #13 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team goes for a dunk against the Dominican Republic National Team on August 20, 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

James Harden #13 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team goes for a dunk against the Dominican Republic National Team on August 20, 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 23 of 41

James Harden #13 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team defends against Francisco Garcia #9 of the Dominican Republic National Team on August 20, 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

James Harden #13 of the USA Basketball Men's National Team defends against Francisco Garcia #9 of the Dominican Republic National Team on August 20, 2014 at Madison Square Garden.

Photo: Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE/Getty Images

Image 24 of 41

James Harden saves the ball from going out of bounds against Brazil during an exhibition game at the United Center on August 16, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.

James Harden saves the ball from going out of bounds against Brazil during an exhibition game at the United Center on August 16, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.

Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Image 25 of 41

James Harden loses the ball after being fouled by Alex Garcia of Brazil during an exhibition game at the United Center on August 16, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.

James Harden loses the ball after being fouled by Alex Garcia of Brazil during an exhibition game at the United Center on August 16, 2014 in Chicago, Illinois.

Photo: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images

Image 26 of 41

James Harden drives to the basket past Brazil's Marcelo Huertas, during the second half of an exhibition game between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Chicago.

James Harden drives to the basket past Brazil's Marcelo Huertas, during the second half of an exhibition game between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Chicago.

Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

Image 27 of 41

James Harden drives to the basket past Brazil's Marcelo Huertas, as United States' Kenneth Faried, watches, during the second half of an exhibition game between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Chicago. less

James Harden drives to the basket past Brazil's Marcelo Huertas, as United States' Kenneth Faried, watches, during the second half of an exhibition game between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams Saturday, ... more

Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

Image 28 of 41

James Harden is fouled as he drives between Brazil's Tiago Splitter, left, and Brazil's Alex Garcia (8), during the second half of an exhibition game between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Chicago. less

James Harden is fouled as he drives between Brazil's Tiago Splitter, left, and Brazil's Alex Garcia (8), during the second half of an exhibition game between the U.S. and Brazilian national teams Saturday, ... more

Photo: Charles Rex Arbogast / Associated Press

Image 29 of 41

James Harden runs through drills during a practice of the men's U.S. National basketball team on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Chicago.

James Harden runs through drills during a practice of the men's U.S. National basketball team on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Chicago.

Photo: Andrew Nelles / Associated Press

Image 30 of 41

James Harden runs through drills during a practice of the men's U.S. National basketball team on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Chicago.

James Harden runs through drills during a practice of the men's U.S. National basketball team on Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Chicago.

Photo: Andrew Nelles / Associated Press

Image 31 of 41

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) looks on as James Harden reacts after Paul George was injured while defending a layup by Harden during a USA Basketball showcase at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 1, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. less

Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. (R) looks on as James Harden reacts after Paul George was injured while defending a layup by Harden during a USA Basketball showcase at the Thomas & Mack Center on August 1, 2014 in ... more

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Image 32 of 41

James Harden dunks the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase game Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, in Las Vegas.

James Harden dunks the ball during the USA Basketball Showcase game Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, in Las Vegas.

Photo: John Locher / Associated Press

Image 33 of 41

James Harden takes a shot during the USA Basketball Showcase game Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, in Las Vegas.

James Harden takes a shot during the USA Basketball Showcase game Friday, Aug. 1, 2014, in Las Vegas.

Photo: John Locher / Associated Press

Image 34 of 41

Kevin Durant #52 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team drives against James Harden #32 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. less

Kevin Durant #52 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team drives against James Harden #32 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, ... more

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Image 35 of 41

James Harden #32 (R) of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team drives against Kevin Durant #52 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada. less

James Harden #32 (R) of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team drives against Kevin Durant #52 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, ... more

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Image 36 of 41

James Harden #32 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team laughs during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James Harden #32 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team laughs during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Image 37 of 41

James Harden #32 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team laughs during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James Harden #32 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team laughs during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Image 38 of 41

Kevin Durant #52 (L) and James Harden #32 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team set up a drill during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Kevin Durant #52 (L) and James Harden #32 of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team set up a drill during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Image 39 of 41

James Harden drives against Kevin Durant of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James Harden drives against Kevin Durant of the 2014 USA Basketball Men's National Team during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Photo: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

Image 40 of 41

James Harden sets up a drill during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

James Harden sets up a drill during a practice session at the Mendenhall Center on July 30, 2014 in Las Vegas, Nevada.